by Tia Louise
I look down at my fingers twisting together. I’ve got to find Rowan. I’ve got to get my head out of the clouds and my ass with the crown prince. I wore this dress, these heels, all of it to entice him. Here I am reveling in the attentions of the wrong man.
Only a few moments pass, and he’s back. “Speaking of Balmain, you should go with me to the spring show. They’re one of the few houses that uses live orchestration.”
“I’ve never been to a fashion show.”
“That settles it, then.” He leans forward and whispers, “I’ll get that cherry.”
My heart beats faster. “Were you expecting to get another one?”
“No.” He stops and catches my chin, stealing a brief kiss along with my breath. “I’m not such a sexist prig to think if you’re not my first, I should be yours.”
“You’re the very model of a modern playboy prince.”
“Pirates of Penzance?”
Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. “I’ve never seen it. I got that from that god-awful Pirate Movie.”
We’ve been walking since we got our drinks, and now we’re at the back entrance to the casino. He leads me out the ornate doors onto a long terrace overlooking the sea. The moon is just rising, touching the water with silvery tips. It’s gorgeous.
“You hate every movie,” he says.
“I do not. I just have a low tolerance for crap.”
Cal sits on the stone railing in front of me, and his warm hands cover the exposed skin on my hips as he pulls me close to his body.
“Where did you acquire such a refined taste in film?” He leans forward to kiss the side of my neck, and that little fish in my middle is flipping all over the place.
“Cal…” Setting my drink down, I push against his shoulders.
He only tightens his hold. “I’m not letting you go, so stop struggling. Now answer my question.”
My entire body is on fire. “My parents loved classic films. It’s where Ava…” Shit! “I mean, um… It’s why Ava and I became friends.”
“You have parents in common?” Another burning kiss.
“Our parents were a lot alike.”
“Interesting,” he murmurs, moving higher into my hair. My knees go liquid, and I almost collapse. “You smell delicious.”
His kisses travel to my jaw. Somehow I manage to bend my elbows and push myself out of his arms.
“Seriously, Cal, we’re not doing this.”
“Why the devil not? We did a damn good job of it last night.”
“I’d had too much champagne last night.”
His hazel eyes flash. “I’m calling bullshit on that, Miss Benedict, you were not drunk last night.”
I start to walk away, but he’s right behind me, catching my arm. “Wait. I’m sorry. Don’t go. Let’s talk some more.”
It’s a mistake. I know it with every fiber of my being, but I don’t leave. “It’s really beautiful here. I love the water.”
“We can walk down to the shore and look for ghost crabs,” he says, sliding my hair off my cheek with his finger. “If you twist your ankle, I’ll carry you this time.”
“Cal—” My argument is lost in his mouth covering mine.
He kisses me the way he always does, passionate and consuming. Our lips part, his tongue finds mine, and my panties flood with heat. Warm hands slide over my bare back, dipping lower, into the back of my dress. I push my fingers into his hair and pull him closer to me. Oh, god, I should stop this, but I want it so much.
“I love this dress,” he murmurs against my cheek, and pleasure snakes up my thighs along with his fingers.
He’s lifting my skirt, making his way to the center. I hold my breath, waiting for him to discover…
“Fuck me,” he hisses, and our eyes lock. That naughty grin splits his cheeks. “Somebody forgot her panties tonight.”
Laughter explodes from my lips, and I drop my forehead against his shoulder. “Oh my god,” I groan as his finger slides over my clit, making me jump. “Oh, god, Cal.” I’m not arguing anymore, I’m begging.
“You don’t have to beg, beautiful, I’ll make you come.” Husky words, lost in our mouths as he kisses me again, deeper, taking what he wants. It’s what we both want.
Instinctively, my knee rises, allowing my skirt to go higher on my legs. Cal never stops touching me, sliding his fingers rapidly over that rigid little button until my thighs begin to tremble.
A strangled moan is lost in his mouth. He rotates his hand and plunges two thick fingers deep inside me, while still massaging my clit. My grip tightens on his arms, my nails cut into the fabric of his coat as I start to come.
“Oh, god… Oh, Oh, Cal!” I’m gasping, shamelessly riding his hand.
“Yes, fuck it out, sexy.” His voice is hot in my ear, his lips touching the skin just behind it. Chills fly down my arms, and the muscles deep in my core spasm again. “Damn, I wish my dick were in there.”
“Cal,” I whisper. He’s so dirty. Who knew I’d be so turned on by his wicked mouth?
“What do you want, sexy?” His face hovers over mine. My eyes are still closed, and through the haze, I feel him kiss them gently. He kisses my nose. “You want more?”
Hell, yes, I want more. Blinking up at him, I can’t say it. He’s so fucking gorgeous here in the moonlight. I’m slowly coming down. My breath is becoming calmer, and all I want is him. I want all of him.
“What am I going to do?” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but too late.
“You’re going to come with me across the street to the Paris Hotel, and we’re going to spend the night together in one of their penthouse suites. I have a fantasy to act out.”
He pulls his hand out of my dress, and steps back. I’m frozen in place watching him. Our eyes are locked as he slips those two amazing fingers into his mouth, tasting me on them.
“Delicious,” he says, giving me a wink.
I almost collapse. He pulls a handkerchief out of his back pocket, and uses it to finish cleaning up. I push my skirt lower on my hips, feeling the remnants of what we did slick on my thighs.
“I’ve got to visit the powder room.” I hold the wall behind me until I’m sure I have my balance. “Then I’m going to find Ava.”
My brain might be scrambled by this sexy player, but I’m not going anywhere without knowing where she is and talking to her. It’s what we do, and nothing can make me forget about my responsibility to her.
Cal’s lips twist. I know by the tent in his slacks he wants more now. Hell, I want more now, but I’m not the type who forgets everything important the minute she orgasms, no matter how fantastic it is. I’ve never been that person.
“You’re going to kill me, Zelda Benedict,” he sighs, placing a palm on the stone wall beside my head and leaning forward.
I step to the side and turn quickly into the casino. “I’ll meet you inside, then you can take me to that Baccarat room.”
Rowan
As I wait for Ava to emerge from the powder room, I speak to the head of my security team. “I want you to sweep the area by the fountain. We’re headed that way, and I don’t want a single fucking photographer in the area.”
“Yes, sir,” the man says, and he signals two of the guards. They leave us with still two more men in dark suits lingering in the periphery.
Ava walks out, and as soon as our eyes meet, my stomach tightens. She’s reapplied her lipstick, and her hair is smoother.
“I didn’t mean to muss you,” I say when she returns to my side. I don’t hesitate to take her hand in mine, and she doesn’t pull away. It’s a small sign of progress.
“Occupational hazard?” She slants her eyes at me.
“If only my occupation were so enjoyable.”
“Didn’t you want to play Baccarat? Zee’s probably looking for us there.”
“I’ve told security our plans. I’d like to show you the fountain… if you still want to see it?”
Her beautiful smile appears. “I would love to see
it.”
I lift her small hand to my lips and kiss the tops of her fingers. “I want to give you the things you love.”
The softness in her eyes is very encouraging. I lead her out the side doors and down the wide, stone staircase. We follow a curved sidewalk lined with different varieties of palms.
A small crowd has gathered to watch the water show. I scan the area and see my men stationed near the entrances. I intentionally wore a plain black tux, no insignia, hoping to blend in. Still the word gets out. My hope is we can make it through the four-minute show without attracting attention.
Instead of staying apart, I lead us into the middle of the group to use them as camouflage. My back is to the low, stone railing, and I position Ava in front of me, her back against my chest. Her head is just at my jaw, and I slide my palm over the skin of her flat stomach. She flinches slightly, but her hand finds mine, and our fingers lace just as the show begins.
Rainbow lights fill the streams of water, and they swirl and dance to the music of a Bach suite for cello. The way I’m holding her, I feel her every response to the display. The music swells, and her breath quickens. I can’t resist, I lean down and press my lips to the side of her neck, just behind her hair. Her grip on my hand tightens, and I know she’s mine. It’s the finale, and all that’s left is to take her the short distance across the street to the Paris Hotel.
The final drops of water descend into the pool. The crowd claps softly before beginning to disperse, and she turns to face me. Our fingers are still entwined, and she’s smiling. Her eyes sparkle, and the moon highlights the tips of her hair.
“What now?” she says softly.
“Let’s walk.” Then I hesitate. “Unless your shoes—”
“I came prepared,” she laughs, moving her skirt aside to show me the bronze leather sandals she’s wearing. “I’d love to walk.”
“You’re tall,” I say, without thinking. “I like that.”
She grins. “It’s okay. I’ve gotten used to being the tall girl. Apparently, my tall father married my short mother, and I took after Dad.”
“Tell me about your parents.”
Her hand is in my arm, and we’re walking down the beige stones, under black lanterns topped with white globes.
“I only know them through what my sister’s told me. I was so young when they died.”
“You lived with relatives?”
She shakes her head, and I don’t miss the shadow that clouds her expression. “We were orphans. I guess we still are.”
“I’m sorry.” Sliding my fingers over the back of her hand, I try to imagine how her life has been. “Were you alone?”
“We were put in the foster care system.” She says no more, but I can infer the rest from her tone.
“It was a bad experience?”
“We ultimately ran away. I spent a few years hiding under bridges and sneaking into boat houses until we started making enough money to afford a room.”
I’m surprised by the tightness in my chest at this revelation. I haven’t known her long enough to feel this burn of protectiveness toward her.
“We’re so far removed from the States. We have a fairytale notion someone like you would naturally have a safe place to live and plenty of food to eat.”
“They should…” her voice trails off, and I’m sorry I led us down this dark train of thought. She breaks it, however. “Enough of that. Tell me about your family. What is it like growing up as the future king of Monagasco?”
Smoothing the back of her hand with mine, I think about my childhood. “I wasn’t spoiled. My parents tried to give Cal and me as normal a life as possible.”
“Considering you had everything you wanted?” She laughs, and I know she’s teasing.
“It’s true, but they made us do chores, pick up after ourselves. We weren’t allowed to be wasteful or selfish. We had to go with them to charity events, serve at soup kitchens, all that sort of thing.”
She stops walking and faces me. The white streetlights glow golden in her hair. “It’s why you’re kind. I’ve felt it from the start.”
A breeze whispers around us, sending a lock of her dark hair across her cheek. I catch it and move it away. Her green eyes are stunning against her tanned skin.
“I confess, my thoughts haven’t been kind since I’ve met you.” I exhale a laugh. “All I can think of is seeing you naked.”
Her lips press into a grin and she starts to laugh. “You certainly have a one-track mind.”
“I feel like I should apologize, but dammit. I won’t.”
It’s her turn to surprise me. She presses that gorgeous body into my chest and slides back the lock of too-long hair that’s fallen across my forehead.
“I won’t apologize either, then. I’ve wanted to see you naked since that first night on the balcony.”
“Are you saying you’ll go with me to the hotel?”
“Will I get my wish?” Her fingers have moved to the base of my neck, and I grasp her bare torso, pulling her hard against me.
“How fast can you walk?”
Her nose wrinkles. “I’m pretty fast when I need to be.”
“I feel the need to move quickly.”
She laughs softly, as I kiss her teasing lips.
13
Evening
Zelda
Cal wears a satisfied grin walking back from checking in with the royal guards. I can only imagine what he’s about to say.
“His royal majesty and Miss Wilder left an hour ago. You know what that means?” The look on his face makes my stomach squirm.
“What? Where did they go?” I want to be angry at Ava for doing what I wouldn’t, but at the same time, I disappeared on her again. At least she’s with the crown prince and his team of bodyguards.
“The Paris Hotel was their ultimate destination. It means they’re off to do some royal fucking.” His hand snakes around my waist, pulling me close. “We should follow their lead.”
My chest clenches unexpectedly. “What?” Ava and Rowan? “That’s impossible. Why would you say that?”
“Perhaps because he’s obsessed with her. He sent her flowers, he can’t keep his eyes off her, and he looks like he wants to punch me in the face whenever I touch her.”
“What the hell?” I walk slowly to one of the blackjack tables where only two men in tuxedoes are playing. Cal is behind me, but I’m too distracted to notice.
How did I miss this? Would Ava throw the job? I suppose I’ve already thrown it telling her I slept with Cal.
“Miss?” The dealer looks at me expectantly, and I scan the rules for the table.
Twenty Euro minimum. I take one of the colorful chips from my bag and place it on the table to start my hand. The dealer nods and passes me two cards.
Facing up is a six of hearts, and my lips twist. Not very good. We turn over the other card, and it’s a five spades. I cast a quick glance at what he’s got, an Ace of diamonds.
“Double down,” I say automatically.
Next round, I get an eleven, dealer a queen of hearts. The men beside me make noises of approval. I now have eighty Euro.
“One more,” I say, tapping my finger in front of me.
Two kings.
“Split,” I say, feeling my insides start to relax.
Cards are easy. Blackjack makes sense. People are hard. I reach into my bag and place four twenty-Euro chips on the table. Cards go around, I’m dealt a ten of hearts and an Ace of spades. The two men playing with me make louder noises.
Cal leans down and speaks in my ear. “Someone knows her way around the blackjack table.”
At once I snap out of it, realizing what I’m doing. “Must be beginner’s luck,” I laugh as the dealer passes me eight twenty-Euro stacks. “Would you change those to fifties, please?”
He pulls them back and slides three white chips across the table along with one twenty chip. I slip them along with the remaining two chips in my bag, and when I stand, I can’t miss Cal’s expre
ssion.
“I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me,” he says with a grin.
“I told you my dad liked to gamble.”
“You didn’t tell me you did.”
Shrugging, I walk slowly away from the table. “We would play blackjack when it rained.”
“Must’ve rained a lot.”
“We were in Florida, so you know.”
“Florida? I thought you grew up in Texas?”
Jesus! This revelation about Ava has me completely floored. I’m forgetting everything! “He lived in Florida… after my parents divorced.” Blinking fast, I keep spinning the lie. “It’s how I met Ava.”
I glance up, and Cal’s eyes narrow. I’m not sure he believes me, but I can’t worry about that now. Now all I can think about is Reggie and what’s going to happen when he finds out. If Rowan’s security guards know, what’s to stop them from telling the grand duke? I stop when we reach the small gallery of couches and plush chairs. Cal stops in front of me, and he’s frowning, arms crossed.
“What?” I say, hesitantly.
“I’m trying to figure out what’s got you so thrown. The fact that Rowan’s with Ava or vice versa.”
Taking a deep breath, I give just a little. “I’m worried about her. She’s younger than me, and… inexperienced.”
“You’re worried because she’s a virgin?”
My eyes flash. “That’s none of your business.”
Both his hands go up. “You said it.”
Now I feel even worse. I’m moving fast, and Cal’s right with me, waiting as I exchange my chips at the cashier and following as I go through the doors. I skip down the stairs, past the line of exotic, ultra-expensive sports cars parked out front, past the large, mirrored sculpture, to the line of fountains.
Only then I stop, stepping forward to the low wall surrounding the arched spray. Cal is beside me, hands in his pockets, and I’m sure he’s waiting for what the hell I’ll do next. I don’t even know.
Wrapping one arm over my stomach, I glance up at him. “I’m sorry, I just… I feel responsible for her.”
He smiles and steps to me, putting a hand on my waist and pulling me to his side. I don’t fight him. I kind of like the comfort of Cal’s arms. It’s the first time I’ve been with a man who didn’t make me feel defensive or protective in a long time.
